Chronic Gout

A good time to deal with and treat (with a goal to cure) your chronic gout pain is to start working on it today
so learn about Chronic Gout now - Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Chronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quickly go away - like gout.

Acute gout is a painful condition that often affects only one joint.

Chronic gout is repeated episodes of pain and inflammation. More than one joint may be affected.

Causes of Gout

Gout is caused by having higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in your body. This may occur if:

Your body makes too much uric acid

Your body has a hard time getting rid of uric acid

If too much uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to swell and become inflamed.

The exact cause is unknown. Gout may run in families. The problem is more common in men, in women after menopause, and people who drink alcohol.

Gout may occur after taking medicines that interfere with the removal of uric acid from the body. People who take certain medicines, such as hydrochlorothiazide and other water pills, may have higher levels of uric acid in the blood.

Symptoms of Gout

Symptoms of acute gout:

Only one or a few joints are affected. The big toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected.

The pain starts suddenly, often during the night. Pain is often described as throbbing, crushing, or excruciating.

The joint appears warm and red. It is usually very tender and swollen (it hurts to put a sheet or blanket over it).

There may be a fever.

The attack may go away in a few days, but may return from time to time. Additional attacks often last longer.

People will have no symptoms after a first gout attack. Many people will have another attack in the next 6-12 months.

Some people may develop chronic gout. This is also called gouty arthritis. This condition can lead to joint damage and loss of motion in the joints. People with chronic gout will have joint pain and other symptoms most of the time.

Tophi are lumps below the skin around joints or other places such as the finger tips and ears. Tophi can develop after a person has had gout for many years. These lumps may drain chalky material.

Exams and Tests for Gout

Tests that may be done include:

Synovial fluid analysis (shows uric acid crystals)

Uric acid - blood

Joint x-rays (may be normal)

Synovial biopsy

Uric acid - urine

Not everyone with high uric acid levels in the blood has gout. A level over 7 mg/dL is high.

Treatment for Gout

Take medicines for gout as soon as you can if you have a sudden attack.

Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin when symptoms begin. Talk to your health care provider about the correct dose. You will need stronger doses for a few days.